G'day Paolo,
I wasn't sure just how much your friend knows about N.Z.,
how long he's staying or whether he is only going to
Auckland.
So let's start with Auckland. This is a city of a million
or so people. As population centres go it totally dominates
the rest of the country. Not only does it have the major
port but there has been a population drift to the north for
decades - much to the disgust of the other cities throughout
the rest of N.Z. Auckland is also the largest population
centre of Polynesian people anywhere in the Pacific.
Because of this and due to recent immigration patterns this
is a city of great diversity.

You ask about beaches, restaurants and hotels. There is
great similarity with Sydney. A city that focuses on the
its harbour. It is no accident that the tourist line is to
call it the City of Sails.

>From now until February (I think) the city will be charged
with the excitement of The America's Cup challenge. As a
consequence of N.Z. being the holder for a number of years
the city has seen an amazing growth of cafes and
restaurants. Your friend will have no difficulty following
the crowds down to the waterfront trend setters. Because of
the large number of yachting junkies that follow such events
I'm not at all sure about the availability of hotels. There
is sure to be large number of internet sites covering this
field. As far as nautical clothing and other gear I think
the problem your friend will have is how do I avoid it.
You can be assured that all along the waterfront near where
the America's cup entrants are based there will more than
enough choice for him. N.Z. is probably more oriented
towards all types of yachting than any other country.
http://www.americascup.co.nz/ Take a look at these choices
plus the official N.Z. tourist site at;
http://www.purenz.com/
I'm not sure as to your friend's other interests. N.Z. has
more golf courses per capita than any other country in the
world. Because of the Polynesian past there are any number
of museums and cultural activities associated with the
indigenous Maori people but I'm equally sure all the other
major island groups will be represented eg. Samoan, Tokelau,
Niue, Cook Is etc.
There is a fantastic aquarium - I'm not sure whether you've
been to one where you walk through the aquarium via a
plastic tunnel so that the fish and sea mammals are swimming
all around you. This technique had its origins in Auckland.

Beaches there are aplenty but in my experience your friend
should not hope to find water warm enough for swimming until
Dec. (then again, I'm a known wimp).

As a country to visit, N.Z. is without peer for its
diversity. I've travelled extensively around the world and
no where else have I found a country where you can travel
through so many distinctive zones within a day's journey.
An example; in the South Island you have Swiss type
mountains, glaciers that come within a short distance of
rainforest, fjords, sunken valleys, premium wineries, and
above all, fabulous scenery within a few hundred kilometres.

I became discouraged with my country of birth for a variety
of reasons and it has taken a decade for me to see the
country in other people's eyes. For sure, N.Z. does not
have the history and culture that you find in Europe for
example, but in terms of scenery, excitement, value for
money, safety for travellers and friendliness of the people
I can't understand why more tourists aren't flocking to this
South Pacific nation. As a rough guide, what costs a euro
in Europe costs a dollar in N.Z.
(exchange rate 1 Euro=$NZ2.10)
Please let me know if you need any more detail about places
to visit near Auckland or, within the rest of the country.
Regards, James Campbell